After raising $35,000 for the YMCA Strong Communities Campaign in 2018, YMCA Northumberland, in partnership with the Cobourg and Port Hope Police Services, is bringing Operation Red Nose back to Northumberland County for the 2019 holiday season.

In 2018, over the nine nights of operation, 200 volunteers provided the community with an additional way to get home safe during the holidays. In total, 277 rides were given, the volunteers drove 9,045 km across Northumberland County and $35,000 was raised through sponsorships and donations. Chrystalla and Tony Manna, owners of JJ’s Steak and Burgers and long time ORN volunteers, have joined the campagn for a second year in a row as Honourary Operation Red Nose Campaign Chairs.

“As local business owners, we welcome opportunities to be involved in making a difference in the health and safety of our communities,” says Chrystalla. “This will be our fifth year volunteering for Operation Red Nose, and we look forward to having fun volunteering while we get people home safe after their holiday celebrations.”

Operation Red Nose is a nation-wide program dedicated to the fight against impaired driving. It is a free, confidential, volunteer-driven service offered to any individual who has been drinking or who simply does not feel fit to drive his/ her vehicle home. The service is provided free of charge, thanks to generous sponsors, but all donations received will benefit the YMCA Strong Communities Campaign.

Volunteers are required to make this campaign a success, and Operation Red Nose Northumberland is currently seeking volunteers for the following positions: designated driver, escort driver, or navigator.

“With Operation Red Nose in its fifth year in Northumberland County, people are now making ORN part of their holiday planning. We help get them, their guests, and their cars home safely after get-togethers, or after a night out,” says Sarah Oliver, Operation Red Nose Volunteer.

“We hope to recruit more volunteer teams for Operation Red Nose this year to accommodate the increase in ORN use.”

Consider volunteering for a night of Operation Red Nose. To register to be a volunteer, visit ymcanrt.org/orn and complete the online application.